Originally Posted by Droidling

Hundreds of times more people are killed in a car/ road accidents in OZ then by any of the dangerous wildlife

Originally Posted by seanyg

The bears in Canada don't normally tend to wander into your back garden, whereas spiders and snakes ARE found in urban areas in Australia (my friend's lived there for 25 years and told me this), Also, when we were over there my husband trod on an Eastern Brown snake in Nimbin (luckily it was 2am and cold so the snake was quite dopey and didn't react - we thought it was just a stick! - I went back to have a closer look! - hubby was only wearing flip flop sandal things too!) and I trod on a stingray in the water (it shot out from under my feet luckily). Oh, and whilst in WA with my friend our powerboat broke down and she thought it was the right time to mention the recent sightings of bull sharks, lol! Lastly, we found a couple of redback spiders in her jetski garage on 2 separate occasions.

So excuse me for sounding paranoid but if we move to Oz then splashing around in the sea and playing in the garden will become large parts of our children's lives and I have to accept that I won't be totally comfortable with that - not at first, anyway. Maybe after a while I'll get used to it.

Basically, I'd take my chances crossing the road

Originally Posted by 77hil

We came out here two weeks ago and I didn't bother posting the usual "I'm finally leaving" thread on here due to what I see as the overwhelming amount of moaning that goes on here. (I know I'll get some flack for saying that).

So far we've had our ups and downs but can see that we could have a life here that we could only dream of in the UK. To be honest we haven't noticed that it is that expensive here although yes housing is expensive as long as you commit yourself to one of the major cities. But if you're prepared to go a a bit further out you can still get a bargain in some lovely locations.

I'm glad we moved and at the moment can't really see why we would want to come back.

PS An important thing to remember is that most of the people that love it and stay aren't posting on here as they are out enjoying their new lives.

Originally Posted by 77hil

We came out here two weeks ago and I didn't bother posting the usual "I'm finally leaving" thread on here due to what I see as the overwhelming amount of moaning that goes on here. (I know I'll get some flack for saying that).

So far we've had our ups and downs but can see that we could have a life here that we could only dream of in the UK. To be honest we haven't noticed that it is that expensive here although yes housing is expensive as long as you commit yourself to one of the major cities. But if you're prepared to go a a bit further out you can still get a bargain in some lovely locations.

I'm glad we moved and at the moment can't really see why we would want to come back.

PS An important thing to remember is that most of the people that love it and stay aren't posting on here as they are out enjoying their new lives.

Originally Posted by 77hil

We came out here two weeks ago and I didn't bother posting the usual "I'm finally leaving" thread on here due to what I see as the overwhelming amount of moaning that goes on here. (I know I'll get some flack for saying that).

So far we've had our ups and downs but can see that we could have a life here that we could only dream of in the UK. To be honest we haven't noticed that it is that expensive here although yes housing is expensive as long as you commit yourself to one of the major cities. But if you're prepared to go a a bit further out you can still get a bargain in some lovely locations.

I'm glad we moved and at the moment can't really see why we would want to come back.

PS An important thing to remember is that most of the people that love it and stay aren't posting on here as they are out enjoying their new lives.

Originally Posted by seanyg

This doesn't surprise me in the slightest, given the prevalence of drink-drivers on the roads in WA (when I was staying there!). My friend (who emigrated there 25 years ago) openly admitted that this is a problem over there.

Not sure if it's a WA thing or an Aussie thing...?

Originally Posted by JAK

Thank you for posting this. I have read a few positive posts recently which does help those of us who are still hoping to make it there one day and makes all what we are going through to get there worthwhile. I wish you lots of luck with your new life.

Originally Posted by northernbird

how on earth can you tell that someone is drink driving?

Originally Posted by suzyambrose

They usually drift towards other cars/kerbs

Originally Posted by katsmajic

My brother had his visa - 136 - didnt validate it, he fell in love etc...

Now 3 years on he/they have a baby and hes desperate to move over here - however hes older, obviously, and has lost points and his skills are no longer in demand.
Hes now doing the hard 'er' route of sticking his job out for another 18mths to get the relevant work experience for a new ACS? assessment and then apply for a 176 visa...if theyre still around then...
He could come over through his company in 18mths, which would be quicker and easier - just got to see if the offer is still there after he finishes his contract in russia.

Originally Posted by northernbird

Might not be drunk, might be on phone, looking at a map etc etc (all of which are unsafe I might add). Just because someone veers over the road doesn't mean they are drunk.

Originally Posted by suzyambrose

No, but you asked how you can tell if someone is drink driving, and without seeing them with a pint in their hand at the wheel, not being able to drive straight is one of the ways of knowing.